Understanding the Mass of Helium Gas in a Balloon

What is the mass of helium gas in a balloon?

Is it:

a) the weight of the gas minus the balloon

b) the amount of matter inside the balloon

c) the amount of matter including the balloon

d) the mass of helium minus the mass of the balloon

Answer:

Option (b): the amount of matter inside the balloon

The mass of helium gas in a balloon is the amount of matter contained within the balloon. It is independent of the outside condition. When we refer to the mass of helium gas in a balloon, we are specifically talking about the matter inside the balloon, which in this case is helium gas.

This can be calculated by subtracting the mass of the empty balloon from the combined mass of the balloon filled with helium gas. The mass of helium gas in a balloon is the measure of the actual quantity of helium present inside the balloon, regardless of the balloon's own mass.

Therefore, the correct option is (b) - the amount of matter inside the balloon.